A Very Good Ship

With six children and one income, Husby and I had to choose
our family entertainment carefully.

We went to a lot of free things.

We did manage Adventure Food (any nationality other than
Canadian) once a month. And for our big splurge, we bought an attractions pass.
A valuable little tool that gave us admittance to any of Edmonton’s many parks
and attractions as well as every one of the numerous swimming pools.

We went swimming every Saturday night.

That way, they were all entertained, played out, and bathed
and clean for Sunday morning.

Yeah. I’m just clever that way . . .

Earlier one Saturday afternoon, we changed things up a bit
and took the clan to the Kinsmen Recreation Centre instead of our usual
Millwoods Wave Pool.

The kids were excited at the prospect of a new pool.

And their Dad and I were excited to have them excited.

Let me describe the swimming part of the centre as it looked
then: There was the large tank, with swimming lanes, for the serious swimmer. The diving tank for the serious diver.
(Note: this pool has been used for competition diving as well as for shooting
movies. Interesting, right?) The warm-up tank--also used for lane swimming and
family groups and toys. And the smallest tank. Shallow. Warm. For families with
young children.

Our family instantly separated into three pools.

Husby had the youngest in the ‘baby’ pool, I had our middle two
in the middle pool, and the two eldest disappeared to try out the diving
boards.

The middle tank was the most interesting to me. It had large
floating toys perfect for family fun.

I had my son in a ‘coracle’ (a small, circular boat) and was
pushing him around.

And singing.

Because that’s what I do.

Did you know there’s a song for nearly every activity?

Well, it’s true.

In this case, the music of choice was “The Good Ship
Lollipop”.

We swam/floated back and forth for much of the afternoon. He
lying relaxed in the little boat. Me, pushing and singing.

Then we fished everyone out, showered them off and headed
home.

It had been a pleasant afternoon, one that I was to tuck
away with my memories of other pleasant afternoons.

Move forward nearly thirty years . . .

Husby and I were visiting with our middle son at his home on
Vancouver Island. During our stay, we started telling stories.

And talking about favourite memories.

Our son told us his favourite memory of growing up was one
day when we went to the Kinsmen pool and I sang ‘On the Good Ship Lollipop’ to
him while I floated his little boat back and forth in the water.

His favourite memory.

I guess I need to remember that when we think we are
providing simple entertainment for our children, we are also making memories.

Translate

My novel, Carving Angels

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic

About the Mom

Diane was born and raised on one of the last of the great old Southern Alberta ranches. A way of life that is fast disappearing now. Through her memories and stories, she keeps it alive. And even, at times, accurate . . .